Director, Meetings & Educational Experiences

Director, Meetings & Educational Experiences, Rockville, Maryland

Very prestigious health / Bio / Pharma, non-lobbying global organization headquartered in Rockville, Maryland has an immediate need for a Director, Meetings & Educational Experiences.  RAPS offers an extremely generous benefits package, 25 days PTO, ten paid holidays, office closure between Christmas and New Year’s, convenient to metro location, Metro Smartrip subsidy or free parking, Health Reimbursement Account, comprehensive insurance and 403b match.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The state, and value, of the annual professional conference is in a state of flux.  RAPS’s Director, Meeting & Educational Experiences will be at the vanguard of working with the healthcare regulatory community membership, conference committees and staff team to guide our two marquee events, Convergence and Euro Convergence, through and into an exciting new future.
This position requires a multi-year strategic outlook but is also very hands-on.  The primary responsibilities for the Director, Meetings & Educational Experiences, include working with a diverse group of stakeholders to guide and define a multi-year vision for our major meetings; development, management, and implementation of the Convergence and Euro Convergence programs; developing and maintaining the overall conference budget; evaluating and maintaining program quality; identifying, implementing, evaluating, and improving processes to meet the mission and vision described; maintaining strong relationships with the volunteers, vendors, consultants, and speakers; and planning, implementing and monitoring program plans.
The Director, Meetings & Educational Experiences, is also responsible for providing innovative leadership and stewardship for conference events and supporting the Convergence and Euro Convergence planning committee members. This position reports to the VP, Education and Professional Development. 

Responsibilities include:

Management and Financial

• Acts as primary liaison to the conference planning committees, which may include leading conference calls, taking and sending out minutes, and any relevant follow up
• Develop and oversee the execution of a multi-modal (e.g. in-person, online, or hybrid) program delivery strategy that effectively meets the need of a broad stakeholder community
• Oversees and administers conference annual budget, including, but not limited to, hotel, vendor, and special event contracts/invoices to ensure costs are maintained within established boundaries
• Works with VP, Education and Professional Development, and VP, Finance, IT, and Operations to develop, review, and administer contracts and agreements, as required
• Supervisory of 1-2 contractors

Event Management and Administration

• Works collaboratively to identify potential future conference sites and communicates options to appropriate stakeholders
• Collaborates with appropriate staff and vendors to develop conference timeline and deadlines related to all events, ensuring the information is communicated with appropriate staff, volunteers, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Oversees conference program submissions and the review process, including the proposal and abstract submission and selection procedures
• Oversees the coordination of speakers (bios, travel, reimbursement, handouts, audio/visual requirements)
• If appropriate, manages the keynote speaker(s), including working with speakers’ bureau, when applicable, and ensures contractual and payment obligations are met
• Serves as primary liaison between RAPS and the conference management company that supports the major conferences
• Prepares written and oral reports for the Board of Directors, as needed

Program Management

• Develops the conference programs in collaboration with relevant subject matter experts and internal stakeholders
• Identifies opportunities for growth of conference programming, partnering, and participation
• Researches and implements new, innovative, and high impact programming and learning formats
• Ensures that all participating units adhere to timelines so that deadlines and milestones are met

Communication and Brand Management

• Collaborates with Brand Management on all conference-related pieces
• Contributes content to conference websites

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree, graduate degree a plus
• 4-6 years’ experience working in complex project management for education and/ or professional development planning preferably at a non-profit, volunteer membership association
• Strong strategic thinking skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong creative problem-solving skills
• Excellent communications (written, verbal, and interpersonal) skills are required.
• Strong background in volunteer management, budgeting, project management, program planning, large conference or annual conference planning to implementation are required.
• Demonstrated experience with both in-person and online modalities strongly preferred

Please submit cover letter along with your resume to our HR Department at hr@raps.org